Are Nicky's carts good?

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=SuperSTB;3747079]
What does jibbing mean?[/QUOTE]

Gothedistance has explained.

Basically it’s the driving equivalent of “napping”.

So the horse may refuse to go forward. It may spin and turn for home. It may lunge forward and then run or spin backward.

Its commonly caused by ill fitting harness and a poorly balanced vehicle and basically a good horse that expresses opinions and looks after itself will start to tell you by employing evading techniques.

Over time the horse will absolutely refuse to work in harness at all.

This leads me to something I was talking about last week with a fellow driving instructor over here.

I’ve always had a preference for horses that have something about them. These can sometimes present more of a challenge in that you tend to have to always get things right and do things well to get the very best out of them. I prefer mine with opinions though and so they look after themselves (and me) by expressing them.

Too many sadly are abused in ignorance and yet they carry on working with ill-fitting harness and poorly balanced vehicles and to their detriment. They don’t do themselves any favour or service and they lull the ignorant into thinking they can continue to do what they’re doing.

[RidesAHaflinger]

Thomas, I do understand your point and I generally agree with it. Some Haflingers are quite stoic about pain and discomfort and this leads to some of the god-awful things I’ve seen them tolerate, both in person and in photos. It’s pretty sickening to see thoughtless people take careless advantage of a willing horse like that.

Mine are a little more opinionated and will let me know when something is amiss but I’ve only had them refuse to move one time each and both cases had to do with an improperly adjusted bit. I was able to fix the problem on the spot.

On the other hand, if we’re out a ways from home and I’m driving alone and some problem develops, I have great appreciation for that stoicism. They’ll get us back home safely because they know I will correct the problem as soon as I can. It’s a nice partnership. And, Thomas, I know what you’re going to say: ‘you shouldn’t be driving alone.’ But we American women are kind of brassy and we do things like drive alone if the alternative is not driving at all! :winkgrin:

@Thomas_1;3748078

This leads me to something I was talking about last week with a fellow driving instructor over here.

I’ve always had a preference for horses that have something about them. These can sometimes present more of a challenge in that you tend to have to always get things right and do things well to get the very best out of them. I prefer mine with opinions though and so they look after themselves (and me) by expressing them.

Too many sadly are abused in ignorance and yet they carry on working with ill-fitting harness and poorly balanced vehicles and to their detriment. They don’t do themselves any favour or service and they lull the ignorant into thinking they can continue to do what they’re doing.

[MySparrow]

[QUOTE=RidesAHaflinger;3748186]
Thomas, I do understand your point and I generally agree with it. Some Haflingers are quite stoic about pain and discomfort and this leads to some of the god-awful things I’ve seen them tolerate, both in person and in photos. It’s pretty sickening to see thoughtless people take careless advantage of a willing horse like that.

Mine are a little more opinionated and will let me know when something is amiss but I’ve only had them refuse to move one time each and both cases had to do with an improperly adjusted bit. I was able to fix the problem on the spot.

On the other hand, if we’re out a ways from home and I’m driving alone and some problem develops, I have great appreciation for that stoicism. They’ll get us back home safely because they know I will correct the problem as soon as I can. It’s a nice partnership. And, Thomas, I know what you’re going to say: ‘you shouldn’t be driving alone.’ But we American women are kind of brassy and we do things like drive alone if the alternative is not driving at all! :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]

Well put, Karen, on all points!

[Moderator_1]

We’ve removed/edited a few posts. Please avoid the personal jabs, etc.

Thanks,
Mod 1

[SuperSTB]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3748078]
Gothedistance has explained.

Basically it’s the driving equivalent of “napping”.

So the horse may refuse to go forward. It may spin and turn for home. It may lunge forward and then run or spin backward.

Its commonly caused by ill fitting harness and a poorly balanced vehicle and basically a good horse that expresses opinions and looks after itself will start to tell you by employing evading techniques.

Over time the horse will absolutely refuse to work in harness at all.

This leads me to something I was talking about last week with a fellow driving instructor over here.

I’ve always had a preference for horses that have something about them. These can sometimes present more of a challenge in that you tend to have to always get things right and do things well to get the very best out of them. I prefer mine with opinions though and so they look after themselves (and me) by expressing them.

Too many sadly are abused in ignorance and yet they carry on working with ill-fitting harness and poorly balanced vehicles and to their detriment. They don’t do themselves any favour or service and they lull the ignorant into thinking they can continue to do what they’re doing.[/QUOTE]

I missed all the posting fireworks. Anyway…

Thank you Thomas.

I had a hackney once that baulked and spun in the harness. I was told he was a good driving pony. I suspected it was the harness that he came with but I stopped driving him after a couple of tries. Even a better fitting harness- still baulked and spun. I only had him pull a small buckboard wagon though.

I’m desperate to learn more with driving. Been at it for a few years now. I tried a couple instructors out here but I didn’t trust their alleged resumes. One lady- I suffered through about 30 minutes before I had enough- last straw was the broken training cart she insisted on using. (If ANYONE can recommend a good driving instructor in So Cal (Inland Empire) PLEASE let me know). Back in Massachusetts I had to travel 45min to 1 hr for driving lessons… Sadly learning to drive in the US is not an easy adventure so people resort to books and videos. Not exactly the proper way to go.

[Thomas_1]

Learning to drive isn’t easy here either. The majority of my customers are travelling over an hour to get to me too.

Furthest customer travelled from Perth in Australia!!! She’s a pretty serious CDE diver and has been here 3 times now and between trips she sends me video clips of different things she needs help with and I give her “cyber lessons” with videos posted backwards and forwards.

[gothedistance]

Super -

Can you possibly go to some CDE’s or pleasure driving shows, and poll the exhibitors to see who they are using for instruction? You have got to have some shows near you, one would hope.

Maybe you can check the ADS calendar that lists the shows, events, etc in various parts of California. See what was within shouting distance from you in 2008. Contact the organizers to see what help they can offer … and get the ball rolling towards joining the rest of us carriage drivers.